Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has awarded more than $4 million in grants through its Way Forward Fund (WFF) to support children and families affected by traumatic brain injuries (TBI). This marks the fifth round of funding from the initiative, which aims to expand access to high-quality pediatric care in underserved communities.
The latest grant recipients include Abide Women’s Health Services, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties, East Oakland Youth Development Center, Eastern Michigan University, Orlando Health, the Regents of the University of Michigan, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland, and UTHealth Houston.
Mylene Mayers, group manager of Toyota’s Way Forward Fund, said, “The Way Forward Fund is focused on raising awareness, advancing research, and helping to improve equitable access to care for communities across the country.” She continued, “These grants mark significant progress in our ongoing collaboration with community and health organizations to provide essential, high-quality pediatric care.”
Toyota’s initiative addresses gaps in TBI funding for children, an area that the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize as under-resourced. Through partnerships with experts and community organizations, the Way Forward Fund is helping to strengthen long-term recovery support for children, families, and caregivers.
“As a mobility company, we believe a person’s ability to move is foundational to meeting their full potential,” said Ana Meade, VP of Sustainable Development at Toyota. “By supporting organizations that are bridging gaps in care, we aim to provide more children and families access to the care they need, when they need it.”
The latest funding round prioritizes community resource development, ensuring that TBI care continues to evolve and improve through collaboration between medical institutions and local organizations. Toyota’s ongoing investment in this space reflects its broader commitment to social responsibility and healthcare equity.
With this initiative, Toyota continues to position itself as a key player in supporting pediatric TBI research and care, helping to ensure that children receive timely, effective treatment regardless of their background or location.